Paris, Tenn.–Early Voting began slowly Friday in Henry County, with 310 overall votes being cast at the two locations.
Henry County Elections Administrator Delaina Green said 242 people voted in-person (180 Republican, 48 Democrat, 18 general), with the overall total of votes cast Friday at 310 (including absentee).
Early voting will run through July 30 for the August 4 state and county general election.
Henry Countians now have two sites at which they can cast their ballots during the state’s Early Voting period: the County Election Commission Office at 215 Grove Blvd. and at TCAT across the street from the high school. Signs show the way at both locations.
Several contested elections will be on the ballot, including the race for General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge, county commission seats, county school board and District 2 constable.
Long-time Judge Vicki Snyder is seeking re-election as General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge and is facing a contest with Paris Attorney Chad Cox. Snyder is running as an Independent and Cox is running as the local Republican Party nominee.
Henry County Commission races (15 members are on the Commission, with three persons from each district):
District 1: Incumbents Wes Bradley and Randy Gean are seeking re-election and both are running as Incumbents. Incumbent Don Jones announced earlier this year he would be retiring. Challengers are James Eichel and Ricky Wade, running as Republicans, and Danny Bowden, Melissa McElroy and Steve O’Brien, running as Independents.
District 2: Incumbents Paul Neal and Drew Williams are seeking re-election and running as Independents. Incumbent Kreg Kyle will not be seeking re-election. Challengers are Tess Robbins and Ralph Wiles, Republican candidates; and Charles Elizondo, Independent.
District 3: Incumbents Marty Visser, Monte Starks and newly-elected member Missy Hamilton will be serving. (Hamilton won in the May primary.
District 4: Incumbents Dell Carter and Kenneth Humphreys are seeking re-election and running as Independents. Incumbent James Copeland is not seeking re-election. Challengers are James Benau, Democrat; and David “Tater” Hayes, Independent.
District 5: Incumbents Greg Carter, James Travis and David Webb are seeking re-election. Challenger is Patrick Burns, Republican, and Torrance Atkinson, Independent.
Henry County Schools Board of Education:
Three of its five districts are on the ballot.
District 1: Russ Orr running unopposed.
District 2: Incumbent Stan Dunagan, Independent, challenged by Rusty Wiles, Republican; and Jackie Dooley, Democrat.
District 4: Inbent Jim McCampbell, Independent, facing challenger Nikki Bobo, Democrat.
District 2 Constable: Chris Coley and Darren Webb are running for the office.
Photo: Callie Green was one of the first to vote Friday morning at the TCAT location. Her mother Delaina Green (also Henry County Elections Administrator) checks her ID. (Shannon McFarlin photo).